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F. J. yVOELKERDING SUPPORT DEVICE Filed Aug. l2, 1964 @76 gzu 86 /g Nov. 15, 1966 I NVE N TOR. MiB-:r1 fam/KJ. Van/femm l M ,47m/@Vf Ys.

United States Patent O 3,285,554 SUPPGRT DEVICE Frank J. Voelkerding, 230 S. Woodlawn, Lake City, Iowa Filed Aug. 12, 1964, Ser. No. 389,080 1 Claim. (Cl. 248-121) This invention relates to a support device and more particularly to a hanger for a lantern or the like. v

The primary object of this invention is the provision of a device of the type described which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable and eicient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, assemble, utilize, and maintain.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a support device for lanterns or the like which may be readily adjusted in size depending upon the height at which the lantern is to be displayed.

A further object of this invention is to provide a lantern pole which is readily collapsed for compact storage.

Yet another object of the instant invention is the provision of a support device for lanterns or other such articles including means to preclude turning or leaning of the same in use.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a lantern support including a ground piercing point and an upper offset arm for removably carrying the lantern in a desired relationship.

Other and further objects reside in the combination of elements, arrangement of parts, and features of construction.

Still other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out as the description of the invention proceeds and as shown in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of support device in accordance with the instant inventive concept, a battery operated lantern being shown as carried thereby in dotted lines;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the embodiment of FIGURE 1, with parts broken away and in section for illustrative clarity and convenience;

FIGURE 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view similar to FIG- URE l of a modied embodiment of supporting device in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 of the embodiment of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse cross-sectional View taken su-bstantially on line 6-6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view similar to FIG- URES l and 4 of a still further modied embodiment of the instant inventive concept;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURES 2 and 5 of the embodiment of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section for illustrative clarity, of a modified coupling means for the lantern hanger of the instant invention;`

FIGURE 1l is a transverse cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 11-11 of FIGURE l0; and

FIGURE 12 is a fragmentary elevational view of a modified form of ground engaging point.

Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings in general and more particularly to FIGURES 1 to 3, one embodiment of supporting device in accordance with the instant inventive concept is designated generally by the reference numeral 3,285,554 Patented Nov. 15, 1966 lCC 20 and includes an elongated standard 22 comprised of a plurality of individual segments 24, 26 with coupling means 28 removably interconnecting the same. Only two such segments have been shown forV illustrative convenience although it will be understood that any number of individual segments may be included depending upon the maximum length desired. Each of the segments includes an upper threaded end 28, 30 and all but the lowermost segment 26 includes a lower threaded end 32. The coupling means 28 in this embodiment is a doubly threaded sleeve interconnecting the upper end of one segment with the lower end of the next uppermost segment. The lower end of the lowermost segment includes a ground piercing point 34 which in the drawing is shown as threadably received therein, but could be welded or otherwise secured to the inside or the outside of the same. A spade or plate in the form of a plurality of offset winglike members 36 may be secured in any desired manner to the standard 22 adjacent the pointed end 34 with each winglike member 36 having a lower cutting edge 38 for piercing the ground 40. A hanger means 42 includes a threaded cap 44 received on the upper end of one of the segments with an outstanding arm 46 having a hook 48 for carrying a lantern or the like 50.

It will be understood that segments of any desired cross-section such as round, square, hexagonal, etc. either tubular or solid, could be utilized in accordance with the instant inventive concept. The use of this embodiinent will now be apparent. Any desired number of segments are secured to each other to form a desired length of standard and the cap of the hanger means is secured to the upper end of the uppermost segment. The pointed lower end and the cutting edges of the winglike members are then engaged in the ground to provide a supporting device which will be securely held against turning or leaning of the same in use.

In FIGURES 4 to 6 a modified embodiment of the device of the instant invention is shown generally at 60 as including an elongated standard 62 comprised of a plurality of individual segments 64, 66 of substantially rectangular tubular material with all ibut the lowermost segment including a lower end 68 of decreased crosssection received in the upper end 70 of the next lowermost segment. A pointed lower end 72 is defined in this embodiment by cutting the segment and squeezing the same together as shown particularly in FIGURES 5 and 6. Winglike members 74 with cutting edges 76 may be provided, if desired, similar to the previous embodiment. Each upper end 70 includes a pair of aligned, diametrically opposed openings 78 and the hanger means 80 includes an elongated arm 82 having an offset end 84 selectively received through one pair of openings 78 with a hook 86 at the opposite end for reception of a lantern or the like.

The use of this embodiment will be obvious from the above description.

In FIGURES 7 to 9 a still further embodiment is shown designated by the reference numeral and including a standard 92 with a plurality of telescopingly engaged segments 94, 96 and an eccentric collar or other eccentric means 98 substantially elliptical in form, which may be turned 90 to lock the segments in an adjusted relationship. This embodiment includes the swing-like members 100 with cutting edges 102 and a pointed end 104 of any desired form. The hanger means 106 includes a cap 108 having a reduced cross section 110 receivable Iin the upper end of the uppermost segment and a hook 112 for carrying the lantern or the like.

The use of the embodiment of FIGURES 7 to 9 will also be apparent from the above description.

In FIGURES l0 and 1l a slightly modied coupling means is shown wherein the lower end of each segment 114, 116, except for the lowermost segment, includes a section of reduced diameter 118 received in the upper end 120 of the next l-owermost segment. A plurality of peripherally spaced, axially extending slots 122 are provided in the lower ends with indented portions 124 corresponding to the slots being provided in the upper ends for sliding engagement of the same. This will prevent rotation of one segment with respect to another.

FIGURE 12 discloses a modified form of ground engaging element which comprises a corkscrew or helical element 114 which may be substituted for the points 34, 72, or 102 and is suitably secured to a linear segment 26a.

It will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved support device for lanterns or the like which satisfies all of the objectives of the instant invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

Since many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and since many modifications may be made of the embodiments hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Iclaim:

A ground engaging support for a lantern or the like comprising a rst tubular section and a second tubular section of lesser diameter telescopically mounted in said first section, an eccentric collar carried by the top of said iirst section for locking said second section in a selected position of telescopic adjustment, a cap having a top portion of a diameter in excess of the internal diameter of said second section and a bottom portion of less diameter than the internal diameter of said second section, said bottom portion seating and being secured in the top of said second section, a transverse rod having a lantern supporting hook formed at one end, xedly secured at its other end to said top portion of said cap, a ground engaging point of a diameter less than the internal diameter of said first section inserted and ixedly secured in the bottom of said first section, and a pair of Wings having sharpened inclined lower edges extending from diametrically opposed points on the exterior of said lower section immediately above said point.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,002,260 9/ 1911 Golden 246-477 1,290,809 1/1919 Truax 211-71 1,706,239 3'/1929 Leon 248-159 2,577,333 12/1951 Klum et al. 15G-1.5 A2,804,278 8/1957 Jewett 248-205 2,877,828 3/1959 Barnette 248-46 2,975,999 3/ 1961 Bunch 248-121 3,076,557 2/1963 Husted et al. 211-178 FOREIGN PATENTS 465,880 6/1950 Canada. 315,278 9/ 1956 Switzerland.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner. K. I. WINGERT, Assistant Examiner. 

